Richard J. Piper

Richard J. Piper, 81, of Ogallala, died Thursday, January 12, 2017, in the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Richard was born January 25, 1935, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Edward W. and Maime E. (Seeley) Piper. The family resided in Liberty Park and Warrenville, Ill. before moving to Miller, So. Dak. in 1948. Other residencies included Huron, So. Dak. and Casper, Wyo. In 1951 Richard moved to Golden, Colo. and was employed with a painting contractor.

In 1954 Richard enlisted in the US Army and served four years. On December 15, 1956 Richard was united in marriage to Nora Hammons. Nora preceded him in death in 2008.

After being discharged from the military he became employed with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department in Golden, Colo. Richard received specialized training as a forensic technician and learned fingerprint procedures and identification. He was educated in photo crime scene investigation and evidence identification.

He was a charter member of the International Association for Identification and was one of twelve crime technicians for the Rocky Mountain Division of the IAI. Richard worked as a security department deputy in the department jail and later transferred to the forensic lab, holding that position for 33 years. He retired in 1993 and relocated to Ogallala.

On September 27, 2009, Richard married Phyllis Chadwick in Ogallala. The couple first resided in Ogallala, then in Oshkosh, and then returned to Ogallala.

His hobbies included fishing, hunting and wood working. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in 1991.

Preceding him in death was his wife, his parents, and two sisters Ellen M. Hardenberger and Karen Brown.

Survivors include his wife Phyllis Piper of Ogallala, and his children: Rosa L. Boerder and Mark A. Piper; a brother William "Bill" (Janet) Piper of Sterling, Colo.; four sisters: Mary L. Moore and Cathy (Tom) Lewellyn, all of Casper, Wyo., Sharon Christensen of So. Lakewood, Colo., and Hollie R. Madigan of Torrington, Wyo.  Three grandchildren and One great-grandchild.

Richard had chosen cremation. The memorial graveside service will be Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at One p.m., Central Time, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors.  Butch Harris will officiate.  Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is entrusted with the arrangements.

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